What is Hair Discrimination and How Does it Affect Black Women at Work?

Despite significant advances in workplace diversity and inclusion, hair-based discrimination remains a substantial obstacle for many Black women. The persistence of this prejudice, supported by both recent studies and personal experiences, underscores an urgent need for change.

Legal Challenges and Social Perceptions

Afro-textured hair is often subject to stereotypes and stigmas globally. Even where legal protections exist, such as the CROWN Act in the United States—which prohibits discrimination based on hair texture and protective styles like braids, twists, and locs—the reality is that not all states have adopted this legislation. This highlights a significant challenge: while the law is helpful, its reach remains limited.

A 2023 study by CROWN Workplace Research illustrates the depth of the issue. Surveying nearly 3,000 women, it found that Black women's hair is much more likely to be perceived as unprofessional. Many respondents felt compelled to straighten their hair for job interviews, and some were even sent home from work because of their hairstyle. Alarmingly, a considerable number believe their hair was a factor in not being hired.

Health Impact and Mitigation Strategies

Beyond professional barriers, Eurocentric beauty standards can have harmful health consequences. Frequent use of chemical hair relaxers has been linked to an increased risk of certain cancers, posing a tough dilemma for those who want to avoid these chemicals but also fear workplace discrimination.

Personal stories, like that of clinical psychologist Donna Dockery, who struggled to choose an "appropriate" hairstyle for professional photos, testify to the problem's scope.

To truly tackle this hair bias, it's crucial that organizational leaders take proactive measures. These include continuous education on hair discrimination and texturism, facilitated by experts and through materials that reflect a diversity of hair textures. It’s also vital to foster an environment where employees can openly share their experiences with hair bias, helping to illuminate and address the subtleties of this form of discrimination.

Moreover, appearance policies in the workplace should be objective and regularly reviewed to ensure they do not perpetuate discrimination, even indirectly. This might involve using clear competency-based evaluations rather than subjective perceptions during hiring and promotion processes.

The journey towards a truly inclusive workplace, where employees are valued for their skills and contributions rather than their appearance, begins with the recruitment process. Thanks to tools like BlindStairs, you can Implement blind CVs in your company in less than 5 minutes.